Confidence at 1-0

One of the most noticeable aspects of this win was the confidence displayed once Everton went in front.

There's often been a tendency to sit back and protect a lead in recent seasons, but the goal roused the Toffees into some of their most attacking phases.

As they become more familiar with their system, this may be a recurrent trend, as Villa suddenly seemed a far easier side to control and play through.

Having initially condensed the space, the hosts needed the ball and duly pressed up the pitch. Everton stuck to their approach and found it far easier to pass right through, controlling the game and subsequently finding a second goal.

Barry's Key Influence

Gareth Barry has rapidly become an important man in Roberto Martinez's system.

While he wasn't always prominent during the key exchanges, his overall influence was telling. He was the Toffees' leading passer for his fourth consecutive match, pulling the strings once again and maintaining his side's tempo.

He was especially vital at 1-0, helping the Toffees control the game and he showed fine awareness to set up Osman's goal.

Barry has now played in five of Everton's Premier League games this season, in which the Toffees have taken maximum points available—15 from 15.

This is impressive enough, but what underlines his value further is the fact that his new side are yet to register a win in the four matches he's missed, taking three points from a possible 12.

More Impact from Martinez

This point was highlighted after the win over Hull, but it's worth emphasising again.

With a game tentatively poised, Martinez was once again refreshingly proactive from the bench, making an early change that proved pivotal.

That's now consecutive games his substitutions have directly affected the result, feats he also achieved in the League Cup against Stevenage and at West Ham.

Thanks to his latest input, the Toffees occupy a Champions League berth after a hugely impressive run of form.

Martinez's new side now have 18 points from their first nine games, their best start to a season for nine years. The last time they registered more points at this stage was 2004/05, when they qualified for the Champions League.